I am just about to bite the bullet and get a serger. I went to the Babylock dealer this morning and checked out the Imagine 2. It was impressive, had a lot of WOW with that self threading stuff it did. They are having a sale the end of this week. The Imagine will be $1799. My jaw hit the floor. I can't justify that much for any kind of machine, that doesn't do house work and cook too.

I went to the Viking dealer and saw the 200S. I really liked that one. I don't have a problem threading it and it's very user friendly. I can get classes with the purchase. What's better...the Price! The holiday prices are available and the 200S is $479. That still pinches me a bit, because I have a problem parting with money for something I feel I can "make do" with my Kenmore Mechanical.

So why after almost 40 years of sewing, do I feel the need for a serger? Besides "peer pressure"...LOL, I find that in this level of my life, I'm making more slacks and jeans, also knit tops. I have been using my overlock stitch on the Kenmore, to finish off the seams, but it just takes so long. I don't want to wear the poor machine out.

I need you folks to "push me over the edge" or hold me back. Do I reeeealllly need that serger?

Yes if you do clothing shouldn't be without one. I agree don't need a $1700 one lol. I mostly used mine for finishing seams. But you can make a pair of pj pants one in an hour. They are speedy. The thing that was hard for me, after being told repeatedly press your seams open. Well you can't do that with a serger. But they are fun and you will discover new things to do with them. Enabled enough? lol

(As for pressing seams, I do it after serging & just press to one side.)
-- Edited on 11/12/12 4:03 PM --
For some reason the last bit won't get rid of the underline & italics.... -- Edited on 11/12/12 4:04 PM --

I think after 40 years, if you have the funds to buy the BL serger with the air threader, buy it. I truely believe you will not be disappointed if you do. Don't you deserve it by now???

There is one thing you do not want to do. I know, as I did it.
I tried a Babylock non air threader and loved it, but ended up with a Bernina. I should have bought the BL as I really liked it. I never tried the air jet, as I knew I'd love that. Too much money for me. I have wished for 7 years I had bought thE BL air jet one and not the Bernina. It would have been fun and I would have learned how to use it quickly. I still have to look at the manual to thread the Bernina after 7 years.

I don't think there's a single BL serger owner alive who isn't convinced that it is the BEST SERGER available.
I have said before that my BL is the machine that is closest to perfection there is --- of all the machines made.
I understand there is a big price difference between the BL and the Viking.
I paid a whole lot more than $1700 for my Evolution AND IT WAS STILL THE BEST PURCHASE I'VE EVER MADE and I'd do it again in a minute. They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands.

I've had a serger since 1988 and I can not imagine not having one. Can not!

Like you I would have a problem justifying the price of a BL especially since it's the first one you're going to buy and you've got the do I really need one blues going. I felt the same way about microwaves. I swore up and down I was never, ever going to buy one. When I finally did buy one I bought the cheapest one I could get. Now I can't imagine life without one.

Now I'm not saying buy the cheapest one you can get but look at one that's more in your comfort zone price wise. I've read a lot of good things on this board about the Brother 1034.

After you've had it and finally realize you can't live without one and wonder why you waited so long maybe then think about a pricier machine.

If you get a serger you are comfortable with, you'll use it endlessly. I fought with my then pricey Elna for 20 years and tapered off using it drastically. Enter my Babylock. I almost had heart failure when I heard the price. Here's the thing, I use it constantly. Not saying your 1st must be Babylock, just don't waste your time and money on a machine that makes you pull out your hair.

Whichever you choose, learn to use all the functions. You'll really get full value for your expense and enjoy it too. Sergers are very versatile. I use mine to do all kinds of interesting edge finishes. And also, sometimes I serge each seam independently, then press the seams open. It can be used for quick and dirty or heirloom sewing.

In fact, you'll soon hear the siren song of . . . the coverstitch machine. So save up for that. Especially if you're

Quote: making more slacks and jeans, also knit tops

The coverstitch is unbelievably useful for many tasks.

I'm really conservative on buying machines. I have exactly 1 sewing machine, a 30-year old Bernina 930 mechanical. Works great with a modern serger.

Happy shopping! Let us know how it goes.

------Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Andy Rooney

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